Stumbling and Falling
Tripping, I would assume we have all done it. When we’re not paying attention to our surroundings we can easily trip over something that is out in the open. In the illustration above you will note that a cell phone is being tossed out of the hand of the one falling! Many, many people are more interested in their texts, emails or calls on their cell phones they are oblivious to what’s actually around them. They will bump into people, animals, cars or just about anything that is in their way.
One key to not tripping and falling on our face is to be observant of what is around us. That car or person or animal weren’t hiding behind anything. Rather, they are in plain sight. And, with just a little bit of good vision we would easily step around it. But, being focused upon the wrong thing we fall flat on our face! There goes our pride. 
Spiritually we are prone to tripping and falling for the same reason. Because we get our eyes on the wrong things we are in danger of falling. The Apostle Jude has reminded us that false teachers and teaching are all around us. Some of it is right out in the open, while others are more hidden. But, in either case, if we are alert and have our eyes properly focused we will not be tripped up.
You may have been the spiritual race long enough that you might be getting weary and tired. Maybe you’ve just about played out all of your strength in standing against the enemies around you. In this weakened state it is even easier to fall. That is why Jude reminds us, “Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling…” Our great and powerful God is able to keep us upright and marching on in victory. Sometimes He uses others to come alongside and lift us up!
At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona Spain Derek Redmond got ready to run the 400 meter semifinal race. He was a shoo-in to make the finals. Approximately 175 meters from the finish Derek’s hamstring popped and his race was over, or so it seemed. This day, he may not win, but he would FINISH. As he hobbled to the finish line a man came running onto the track. Officials tried to stop him until they heard him say, “That’s my son.” Derek’s dad is reported to have said his son, “You don’t have to do this.” To which Derek replied, “Oh yes I do.” His father said, “Then we will finish this race together.” And they did. No, he didn’t win a medal. He just won the hearts of the 65,000 plus fans who were standing, cheering and urging him on.
Have you tripped because you took your eyes off the Lord? Are you fallen along the way because you became distracted by other things? Do we see people needing our assistance? May we stay in the race by keeping our focus upon the One who is able to keep us from falling. But, if we do, let’s not stay on the turf. Let’s get up and finish the race. And, along the way, we just might be the person who comes to the aid of those who have fallen.